Our first cruise was with our 10 month old boy. We were nervous about whether it would work with a little 'un, but in the even it was fine - actually, it was so good, we're doing it again this year! You'll find that, for most cruise lines, there are limited facilities for babies until they are 2 years old - there's usually no problem in them using the facilities accompanied by you, but you cannot leave them and babysitting can be limited. or expensive. The exceptions to this are Cunard (probably a bit too formal for you), P&O (who we cruised with) and Ocean Village (the least formal of the lot - but too informal for us as we like the opporunity to get our glad rags on). All of these lines offer free/low cost babysitting in the evening, and Cunard will even take them during the day if more than a year old. We found P&O great, particularly the nursery staff who were excellent. Go for it, you'll have a great time.

We have cruised when both our children were around this age (now 3 and 8). and found that P&O cater much better for babies than any other cruise line of our experience (Cunard, Princess, Ocean Village and Celebrity). All have night nurseries where you can leave your child between 6pm and midnight. You are issued with a pager, and the excellent staff will contact you if your child becomes distressed and they are unable to pacify him/her. A few years ago, it was possible to pre-order specific baby-milk and baby food at no extra charge from P&O HQ, although I think this service may have been stopped . P&O still carry a range of baby food and formula milk though (better to ring them to check on the brand carried). Also, if you speak to the restaurant manager or head waiter on board, they are usually very helpful in satisfying any specific food request you might have for your baby.

A cruising holiday is definately not for babies. Find something the youngster would actually enjoy such as a gite or mobile home in France where the freedom to do whatever you want when you want will make the family experience a happy and enjoyable one for everyone!

Hi there, i would suggest, either of the ocean village ships.. the facilties for children are very good, there is a creche...and there are babysitting facilties for extra late nights if yu wish.. these are chargeable..late night..( think they can stay until 3.00am.) the daytime facilties are free. The cabins are very spacious, and lots of room for a cot.. go onto website.. or telephone them directly.. and they will give you all the infor... OV is not formal at all ( but obviously no-one should go for dinner in their shorts)
and with the childcare facilties on board, you will have lots of time.. for yourselves.. pick a route whereby the destination has a few beaches closeby and the little one can have a paddle( well a dangle at 7 months!).. OV 1 and 2, has a fully closed in deck for small children with their own pool ..
i certainly would recommend this cruise line..
carol.